Fortnite Chapter 6 made a splash earlier this month, and players are loving it for all the right reasons. Not only did Battle Royale unveil an exciting new map and parkour-style movements, but it also introduced fresh modes like Ballistic and LEGO Fortnite Brick Life. Plus, the beloved Fortnite OG has returned for good, giving the game some variety that fans are really enjoying.
Epic Games is clearly paying attention to what players want, incorporating their feedback into Chapter 6’s updates. The beloved hitscan weapons are back in Battle Royale, and Fortnite Crew subscribers now enjoy access to every pass in the game. Adding a highly anticipated upgrade, Fortnite’s in-game chat system now offers a perk for both competitive and social gamers.
### What’s New with Fortnite’s Text Chat?
Before December 10, players could only use text chat in the lobby between matches. But now, this feature has been supercharged: players can chat within party or public channels during games and even send direct messages to friends.
#### Safeguards in Fortnite’s Text Chat
This revamped text chat marks a significant milestone for Fortnite. Before, communication options largely centered on voice chat within parties or proximity chat in specific Creative modes. With so many younger players in Fortnite’s community, text chat wasn’t previously available due to concerns about misuse. Now, Epic Games has introduced solid safeguards to prevent harmful exchanges.
To that end, new filters in Fortnite’s chat system will screen out explicit language and block sharing of personal information. These filters automatically engage for players under 13 years old. And if any negative messages do get through, players can report them just like they could with voice chat.
#### Advantages of Text Chat in Fortnite’s New Modes
Text chat has ranked high on many players’ wish lists. Like any shooter game focused on teamwork, effective communication often decides the ultimate victory, and not everyone prefers using voice chat. This upgrade is particularly timely, coinciding with the roll-out of Chapter 6 and two of Fortnite’s most intriguing new modes.
Earlier this week, Fortnite introduced Ballistic and LEGO Fortnite Brick Life. Both modes gain unique advantages from this expanded text chat. Ballistic, likened to Valorant and CS: GO, thrives on high-stakes competition, demanding strategic communication about enemy positions and tactical gameplay, especially in ranked matches. On the flip side, Brick Life centers around social interaction. This life simulation mode offers players the chance to role-play and plan gatherings with friends in-game, making text chat invaluable.
For Brick Life, aimed at younger players, having a safe alternative to voice chat is a big plus. Of course, the real test will be how well those chat filters perform over time. Players might find loopholes, sure, but if these protections stand strong, improved text chat could be one of Fortnite’s most impactful updates this year.
